crucible act 2
18. Based on Cheever's evidence, explain how Abby may have "set-up" Elizabeth. - Based
- Based on Cheever's evidence, Abby must have "set-up" Elizabeth by placing the needle in the poppet herself and then placing a needle in herself at dinner and screaming. (Pg. 71)
4. Who does Elizabeth refer to when she says, "A mouse no more"? Explain the metaphor.
- Elizabeth refers to Mary Warren. Throughout the story, Mary Warren is constantly referred to as a mouse. So, when Warren finally speaks out, she is no longer considered a mouse. (Pg. 50)
How does Hale question John Proctor's religious integrity? Explain Proctor's response.
- Hale questions John Proctors attendance at church, unwillingness to get his third child baptized, and overall disrespect for Parris. Proctor responds with many excuses; didn't know he had to account for his attendance and doesn't like when Parris touches his kids. (Pg. 61-62)
24. Who are the two dynamic characters in this scene? Describe how they:ve changed since the beginning of the play. What is the significance of these changes?
- In Act I, Mary Warren is "a mouse no more". She is seen as very shy and easily pushed around. In Act II, she then seems to be more bold as she stands up to Proctor and even threatens to tell the town about his affair with Abigail. Reverend hale at first is confident in his resolution concerning the witches in Act I. But in Act II, he questions the motives of the accusers and suspects that vengeance is controlling the town.
23. What does John Proctor demand Mary Warren do after Elizabeth's arrest? Explain the significance of Mary's response.
- John Proctor demands Mary Warren to testify against Abby or he will hurt her. Mary then responds by saying that she has known for the affair for some time and Abby will use that against Proctor. (Pg. 75)
What lie does John Proctor tell? How does this feed Elizabeth's suspicions about her husband?
- John Proctor states that he was alone with Abigail instead of in a group. This feeds Elizabeth's suspicions because she now knows that Proctor still may feel things for Abigail. (Pg. 51)
What gift does Mary Warren give to Elizabeth? What do you think Mary's making it and giving it to Elizabeth foreshadow? Elizabeth
- Mary Warren gives Elizabeth a poppet. I think Mary's making it and giving it to Elizabeth foreshadows that Elizabeth will soon be called a witch. (Pg. 53)
16. Explain the metaphor Francis Nurse states to Reverend Hale: "My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church."
- Rebecca is said to be the foundation of the church. This shows that she is very important to the church community. Her "good soulr" is vital for the congregation in Salem. (Pg. 67)
5. Explain what is ironic about the ultimatum the head of the court gives to those that are arrested. - The
- The accused must confess or they will die. If they claim to be innocent, they die. If they claim to be guilty, they live. So, people who are guilty are actually being treated, while innocent people are being killed. (Pg. 50)
17. What evidence does Ezekiel Cheever present against Elizabeth Proctor? Ezekiel Abigail
Ezekiel presents the poppet that Mary gave her. Abigail claims she is using it for voodoo, and it even had a needie stuck in it when Abigail was recently stabbed by a needle as well. (Pg. 69)
13. Explain how Hale tests the Proctors' belief in God. What is ironic about this test and the Proctors' responses to the questions? Hale asks
Hale asks the Proctors to recite the 10 commandments. John forgets the "Thou shall not commit adultery" commandment, which is ironic because he is breaking it. (Pg. 64)
11. What does Hale's motivation for visiting the Proctors tell the audience about his personality? Explain.
Hales' motivation for visiting the Proctors tells the audience that he is not there to simply view the evidence, but to go deeper than that. He is looking to get a clearer picture of those who were accused. This reveals that he is a free-thinker, willing to see the bigger picture and beat around the bush before jumping to conclusions. (Pg. 60)
3. Elizabeth suggests John travel back to Salem to report what Abby told him. What does his hesitation to return to Salem indicate about his inner conflict? that he would
John's hesitation to return to Salem indicates that he would like to investigate the witchcraft, but also he does not want to hurt Abigail. This reveals that he could still have feelings for her. (Pg. 49)
Mary claims that if she contradicts her, she is "charging cold murder on Abigail." Is Mary correct? Explain.
Mary Mary is correct. If Abby was to lie, the only reason would be to find Elizabeth guilty and have her killed. Therefore, Abby would be trying to murder others with these lies. (Pg. 72)
How does Mary Warren save herself from begging whipped by John? Who does Elizabeth believe is behind the accusation? Explain. -
Mary Warren saves herself from being whipped by John by "threatening" them in a way. She is defending them in court so she says that if they don't give her some freedom she will no longer defend them. Elizabeth believes that Abigail is behind the accusations in order to get John all to herself. (Pg. 57)
Explain how Miller's use of dialogue on the first two pages of this Act effectively shows the rift between John and Elizabeth. List and explain/describe two examples.
Miller's dialogue in the first two pages of this Act shows how the conversations between John and his wife are nonexistent and irrelevant. Each of them make statements, but the other does not respond. This could show that there is a list of trust due to John cheating. (Pg. 47-48) "Are you well today?(John) I am. (Elizabeth)" Instead of explaining her day or how she is really feeling, she simply cuts off the conversation. "Cider?(John) Aye.(Elizabeth)" Conversation like this continues, very off topic and short.
List the evidence presented in court against both Rebecca Nurse and Marth Corey. How credible is this evidence? Explain. Rebecca
Rebecca Nurse; Charged for the murder of Ms. Putnam's babies. Martha Corey: She is said to be reading books by Walcott and none of his pigs last past four weeks. This evidence is not that credible. There is no concrete evidence and these people could be making this all up. This is spectral evidence. (Pg. 65-66)
(Pg. How is Reverend Hale a "broken minister"? - Reverend Hale
Reverend Hale is a "broken minister" because he lacks effort to actually prove people innocent in court. So he is just letting innocent people die. (Pg. 73)
22. How have Reverend Hale's opinions of the accused changed by the end of Act 2?
Reverend Hale's opinions of the accused changed by the end of Act 2 because he now sees how unjust the court is in deciding whether people are guilty or innocent. (Pg. 74)
14. Explain Hale's quote: "Man, remember until an hour before the Devil fell, God thought him beautiful in Heaven."
This quote means that anyone is susceptible to the devil, no matter what there past behavior is. (Pg. 68)
Explain John Proctor's quote: "Vengeance is walking Salem."
This quote means that people are using witchcraft accusations to get revenge on those who they believed have hurt them. (Pg. 73)
6. Explain the significance of Proctor's quote: "If the girl's a saint now, I think it is not easy to prove she is a fraud, and the town gone so silly."
This quote shows that everyone in town thinks that Abigail is a saint. So if anyone goes against Abigail's word, they are considered evil. Therefore, it will be hard to get the town to go against her word. (Pg. 51)
What do we, the audience, learn about their marriage based on John Proctor's actions prior to seeing Elizabeth? After Elizabeth enters the scene? What does this discrepancy tell us about the state of their marriage?
We, the audience, learn that John Proctor does in fact find fault in Elizabeth. After Elizabeth enters the scene, he compliments her seasoning. This shows that he is not willing to be open to her. This discrepancy tells us that there is a barrier between the two. (Pg. 47)
Explain the following metaphor: Elizabeth to John "The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you."
you." - This metaphor means that his inner voice or "inner judge" is what really judges him, not Elizabeth. (Pg. 52)
